Dice corral

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method of corralling one or more die when rolled or thrown is disclosed. The apparatus comprises identical segments locked together creating a compartment to receive rolled or thrown dice. The identical segments form the walls of the compartment. The bottom of the compartment is the surface that the compartment is placed upon during use. The apparatus can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled by a user. The method comprises rolling or throwing one or more die into a compartment formed by locking a plurality of identical segments. The identical segments form the walls of the compartment and the bottom of the compartment is formed by the surface that the compartment is positioned upon.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

The inventor did not disclosed the invention herein prior to the 12 month period preceding the filing of this nonprovisional application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention.

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method in which dice are rolled or thrown into a compartment so that the die or dice remain within a designated area of play. Many games played today require a player to roll to throw dice as a step in the game. The dice may be rolled or thrown in such a manner that the dice miss or fly out of the area designated for play. Rolled dice may hit the game board causing game tokens and cards to be moved out of position. Dice may be rolled or thrown so that they fall into an obscured location leaving the players hunting for the dice. The Dice Corral is a simple but effective device that “corrals” rolled dice facilitating game play. The Dice Corral can be utilized to catch rolled or thrown dice into during regular game play. The size and shape of the Dice Corral effectively traps rolled or thrown dice.

(2) Description of Related Art

Numerous games have been disclosed that incorporate rolling or throwing dice as a step in playing the game. A number of these games have also disclosed a box or tray for catching rolled or thrown dice. Goodman (U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,780) discloses a dice game wherein a dice box having two play compartments separated by a common wall with one compartment holding dice not in play and the second compartment being used to catch dice when thrown. The Goodman device is not portable and does not fold into a compact unit for storage. The dice box of Goodman does not attempt to trap rolled or thrown dice and, in fact, encourages rolling dice to miss the dice box. Dice that miss the dice box are retrieved and thrown again with the player improving his score when he repeats throwing the dice (U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,780). The invention of Goodman encourages a player to throw dice so that they land outside of the dice box to increase their score.

Dobbin (U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,704) discloses a box with a detachable lid used to catch thrown dice. The game box of Dobbin has a bottom wall and four side walls extending upwardly about its periphery to define a playing space for throwing dice. The bottom wall is covered with felt to cushion the thrown dice. A lid is provided for covering the dice box with the dice stored therein when not in use (U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,704). The game box of Dobbin can not be folded or compacted for easy carry and storage. Additionally, the limited size of the dice box disclosed in Dobbins limits the device's ability to capture rolled or thrown dice. The Dobbins dice box is unlikely to be used for anything other than storing dice.

Factor (U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,166 B1) discloses a dice game wherein a game board with eight walls that contain a plurality of peg openings for receiving pegs to tract a player's score. The octagonal-shaped game board has a flat playing surface to roll dice. Markings on the surface of the game board indicate distinct areas for storing cash or betting chips. A foldable version of the game board may be constructed, by separating the game board into two equal portions and using a wall and hinges to partition the two portions. The foldable version of the Factor device allows for a more compact and transportable game board. But, the foldable version of this device only reduces the overall size of the device by one-half. Thus, this device is less portable than the Dice Corral disclosed herein, and is less likely to be used.

Berkowitz et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 8,276,915 B2) discloses a dice throw box having a score pad and bonus card holding area built into the device. The dice throw box of Berkowitz et al. comprises a rectangular box defined by vertical end walls and vertical side walls. A vertical partition separates the dice throw box from three smaller areas adjacent to the dice box which are used to store a score pad and bonus cards. The dice throw box has an area for receiving thrown dice that is 8.25 inches wide, 9.5 inches long, and 1 inch high. The bottom of the dice box is lined with felt or other cushioning material to cushion the impact of the dice. The dice box is made of any suitable material such as wood, plastic, metal, or the like. The one inch height of this device limits its ability to effectively trap rolled or thrown dice. The walls are so low that many die or dice will leave the area designated for play.

Several dice-trapping trays are commercially available. The 10″ Wood Dice Tray available at www.greatboardgames.ca/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d (accessed Feb. 12, 2105) comprises a wooden octagonal-shaped box for catching rolled or thrown dice. This device can not be compacted for storage when not in use.

Despite the breadth of the dice catching trays in the prior art, there continues to be a need for a new and improved dice tray which is highly portable, easy to use, and effective in trapping rolled or thrown dice.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Dice Corral comprises a number of interlocking segments composed of acrylic, plastic, wood, metal or other suitable material. The interlocking segments are assembled to create a compartment to catch rolled or thrown dice. The Dice Corral corrals the dice so that they do not leave the area designated for play. The Dice Corral can be utilized in any game that incorporates rolling or throwing dice. The Dice Corral can be broken down into its segments quickly and easily for compact storage or travel. The segments can be secured together through a hole positioned at the top of each segment, or alternatively, the segments can be secured together through holes positioned at the top and bottom of each segment. The Dice Corral has a shape and size that effective trap rolled or thrown die or dice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an angled view of the fully assembled Dice Corral.

FIG. 2 illustrates the front view a single segment of the Dice Corral.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a single segment of the Dice Corral.

FIG. 4 illustrates six segments of the Dice Corral disassembled and bound together.

FIG. 5A illustrates two segments of the Dice Corral in the correct position to be locked together.

FIG. 5B illustrates two segments of the Dice Corral in a locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is described in detail in the following paragraphs with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout this detailed description of the invention, the disclosed embodiments and features are to be considered as examples, rather than being limitations to the invention. Modifications to particular examples within the spirit and scope of the present invention, set forth in the appended claims, will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Further, reference to various embodiments of the disclosed invention does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include every described feature. The various disclosed embodiments and features of the invention may be used separately or together, and in any combination. Terminology used herein is given its ordinary meaning consistent with the exemplary definitions set forth below.

Many games incorporate rolling or throwing dice. Some games utilizing dice include, but are not limited to, Boggle®, Bunco®, Dungeons and Dragons®, Monopoly®, Risk®, and Yahtzee®. Rolled or thrown dice that land outside of the area designated by the players must be rolled or thrown anew which delays game play and interrupts the flow of a game. A new method of containing dice within a field of play is needed to facilitate the playing of these games and other games that utilized rolling or throwing dice. The Dice Corral can be used in each of these games to contain rolled or thrown dice.

In FIG. 1 a top angle view of the Dice Corral is shown. This embodiment comprises six interlocking identical segments 2 that form a hexagonally-shaped compartment. The floor of the compartment is the surface that the Dice Corral is placed upon. Once assembled, the Dice Corral rests on any level surface of sufficient size. The dice are rolled or thrown so that the sides are able to contain the dice within the Dice Corral.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a single segment 2 of the Dice Corral. Each segment is composed of acrylic, plastic, wood, or other suitable material rigid enough to form a secure compartment yet flexible enough to be manipulated by hand into a locked position. Each segment 2 is a flat rectangle having four edges, two longer length edges 12 running the length of the rectangle and two shorter width edges 8 running the width of the rectangle. All length edges 12 are equal in length and lay on opposing sides of the rectangular segments 2. Width edges 8 are of equal width and lay on opposing sides of the rectangular segments 2. In one embodiment, each segment 2 is comprised of length edges 12 with a length of approximately 10 inches and width edges 8 with a width of 2.25 inches 8. The ends of each width edge 8 may be rounded to protect users from sharp corners. A hole 4 is positioned at the center point of edge 8 approximately 0.25 inches from the outermost edge. Hole 4 completely traverses each segment 2. Each segment 2 may comprise one or more holes 4. Hole 4 may be positioned in any area of segment 2 that allows for the segments to be locked together to form a compact unit. In this embodiment, a notch 6 is positioned at least 0.50 inches from edge 8. The width of notch 6 is such that it is wider than the thickness of segment 2 so that the segments may be positioned to create compartments other than four-sided boxes. Notch 6 may be positioned at any point along the length edge 12. The perimeter of the Dice Corral, and hence is size, is determined by the placement of notch 6 along length edge 12. Each segment 2 comprises at least two notches 6. In the preferred embodiment, notch 6 is approximately 1.125 inches deep by 0.325 inches wide. Each segment 2 contains two notches 6, with each notch 6 positioned on opposing sides of edge 12 at opposing ends of edge 12. FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a segment 2. In this embodiment, each flat segment 2 is approximately 0.25 inches thick. Segment 2 may be of any suitable width that is less than the width of notch 6.

In FIG. 4 the segments 2 of the Dice Corral disassembled and bound together via locking pin 10 is shown. Locking pin 10 may be composed of acrylic, plastic, wood, steel, aluminum or any suitable material for locking the segments together. Locking pin 10 may have any physical shape that allows it to fit within hole 4 of segment 2. Locking pin 10 must be sufficiently wide to lock together all segments 2 of the Dice Corral when said segments are stacked one on top of the other with all holes 4 aligned together. In the preferred embodiment, locking pin 10 contains a locking loop 20 that can be secured over locking pin 10 to lock the segments 2 onto the locking pin 10. Locking loop 20 is pivotably secured to one end of locking pin 10 and configured to be removably engaged at the other end by spring tension of locking loop 20. Locking pin 10 must be wide enough to secure at least six segments 2 or at least 1.50 inches for this embodiment. Locking loop 20 makes contact with both ends of locking pin 10. The width of locking pin 10 and locking loop 20 should be adjusted to correspond with the width and number of segments 2 being locked together. Once the segments are secured together, they can be stored conveniently in a cabinet or transported in a briefcase or overnight bag.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the method of locking two segments 6 together. FIG. 5A depicts the alignment of two segments 2 of the Dice Corral in the correct position to be locked together. The segments 2 are aligned so that a notch 6 on one segment 2 lines up with notch 6 on a separate segment 2. The two segments 2 are pushed together so that one segment 2 crosses through a different segment 2 forming a “X” at the intersection of the two notches 6. FIG. 5B illustrates two segments 2 of the Dice corral in a locked position. The method of locking and unlocking segments 2 is so easy and simply that a child can quickly assemble and disassemble the Dice Corral. 

1. An apparatus comprising an easily assembled and disassembled compartment for receiving and containing one or more rolled or thrown die comprising: a plurality of elongated segments wherein each segment forms a portion of a wall of the compartment, each segment of said segments having a first end and a second end having a notch formed from material of said segment at said first end and said second end of each said segment, each said notch removably locking to a respective notch a first end or second end of an adjacent said segment, whereby each said segment is supported upright along a long edge thereof by adjacent said segments, said notches angled so that said segments form a contiguous compartment, wherein a bottom of the compartment is formed by the surface upon which the segments are assembled, and a die or dice thrown through a top of said compartment are confined within said compartment by walls formed by a height of said segments.
 2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said notch at said first end and said second end of each said segment further comprises a notch having an opening at an edge closely adjacent to said first end and said second end of each said segment, each said notch extending perpendicular to a long axis of each said segment, and wherein notch openings of respective said notches in said first end and said second end of any given segment are oriented at either an upper edge or a lower edge of said segment, with said notch openings at said first end and said second end of adjacent said segments oriented on an opposite edge to said notch openings of any said segment, with each upwardly facing said notch opening receiving a downwardly facing notch opening, thereby interlocking all said segments together.
 3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein each said notch extends perpendicularly a distance about half of a height of each said segment.
 4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein a width of each said notch is at least as wide as the thickness of said segments.
 5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein an angle between said segments is 90 degrees or greater.
 6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 further comprising at least 6 said segments, with a width of each said notch being slightly wider than a thickness of each said segment so that an angle between said segments, when said segments are interlocked, is about 120 degrees.
 7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 further comprising an opening closely adjacent to at least one of said first end and said second end of each said segment, and a removable lock that extends through each said opening, thereby locking said segments together for storage or transport.
 8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said locking member further comprises a rod that extends through each said opening, and a spring member attached at one end of said rod, said spring member having a loop at an opposite end that removably engages an opposite end of said rod, said spring member biased to retain said loop around an end of said rod, thereby locking said segments to said rod.
 9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein a length of said segments is 10.0 inches, a height of said segments is 2.25 inches, and a thickness of said segments is 0.25 inches, with said notches located about 1.0 inch from each said first end and said second end.
 10. A method for throwing die or dice to a designated playing area wherein said playing area comprising: forming an compartment comprising a plurality of elongated segments, each segment having a first end and a second end, providing each segment of said segments with a notch at each said first end and said second end, respectively, forming said notch only from material of said segment at each said first end and said second end, removably locking said segments together in angular relation using said notches, thereby supporting each said segment on a long edge thereof to form a contiguous compartment, using the surface on which said compartment rests as a bottom of said compartment. 